Prayer for the First Week of Lent

[This prayer is designed to be said within the family
before a Crucifix during the first week of Lent.]
Mother or a child:
From the words of St. Paul [2 Cor. 6:1-2].
Dearly beloved, we entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says: "In an acceptable time I have beard you,
and in the day of salvation I have helped you.
Behold, now is the acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation."
Father:
This time of fasting has opened to us the gates of paradise.
Let us accept it, praying and beseeching.
Family:
That on the day of resurrection
we may be glorified in the Lord.
Father:
Let us pray.
Through the observance of Lent, O Lord,
You purify Your Church every year.
See to it that Your children lead a better life
and so obtain the graces they are striving to acquire by doing penance.
This we ask of You through our LordJesus Christ, your Son.
Family:
Amen.
Favor this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence.
Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan.
Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace.
And may your blessing remain always upon us.
This we ask of you through our LordJesus Christ, your Son.
Father:
Let us bless the Lord.
Family:
Thanks be to God.
Father:
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family:
Amen.

Rank

Prayer

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let Thy holy Angels dwell herein, to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing be upon us forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. continue reading

In the centuries old Catholic tradition, holy cards or prayer cards are small, devotional cards for the use of the faithful. Prayer cards have an endless amount of use and make wonderful gifts and keepsakes.